“Scotty” can hurt England with the ball too

RISING star Ashton Agar is tipped to make as big an impact with the ball in the Ashes series as he did with the bat yesterday, by the man who gave him his first taste of cricket in England.

Agar, 19, exploded onto the international fray scoring 98 in his first innings for Australia against England, just weeks after appearing in the Home Counties Premier League Division One for Henley Cricket Club.

And having seen the teenager, they affectionately nicknamed “Scotty” after the Australian golfer Adam Scott, at close quarters Henley captain Bjorn Mordt believes Agar can continue to impress this summer.

“He’s a top quality spinner with really good control and he can definitely make an impact with the ball too,” Mordt told City A.M.

“Six Australians came over as part of an exchange scheme with Hampshire, and their coach Giles White called me and asked would I be interested in having a professional for the summer. I said ‘we could do with a spinner’.

“He was supposed to be here for the full season, but after four weeks he said he had to go he’s been called up by Australia A.